Oh what a night 8th June 2013

"NEVER EVER LET ME HEAR THAT THE PEOPLE OF BURNIE DON'T HAVE A HEART!"

LAST NIGHT PROVED BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THEY DO. AT A FUNCTION AT THE MENAI HOTEL AN ESTIMATE OF $14,000.00 WAS RAISED TO SUPPORT A YOUNG FAMILY WHO'S BREAD WINNER HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN WITH MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE.
Barry Pateman is a man in his mid to late 30's with a young family and a short life expectancy is the sad prognosis of this insidious disease of the man who lives in our midst here in Burnie.
In response for assistance to the City Of Burnie Lions Club, and members of the Burnie Leo Club, we assisted the hard working committee headed by Ian Dodd, with the running of a fund raising auction and the administration of monies raised.
The items available were mind blowing from a $1,000.00's worth of air travel, Return trip for two on the "Spirit of Tasmania" ferry to Melbourne, a BMX bike and all sorts of items ably sold off by Tasmania's own "man mountain" David Foster and another capable auctioneer and I'm sure I saw one of his axes up for grabs as well. It has to be said that one chair in particular suffered from his six foot four inch height, 20 stone weight being placed on it, but it still sold. The lady who bought the set of four chair quipped, she would keep it as memento of the night.
Selling virtually started at 7:30pm and finished at 11:00pm supported by the local community, and the Motor Cycle Riders Association (Tasmania) members. All have families, all had a big heart and wallets to match. These people were not from millionaire's top end of town and makes you proud to be associated with them. We were blown away by the response.
At the end of the night it is estimated that $14,000.00 was raised, $10,000.00 from the auction alone. The balance from donations and the like.
Almost twelve months ago we were able to run a dinner at Weller's Inn to raise funds for an Autistic Assistance Dog. That night raised $7,000.00 and a similar comment was made about the people of Burnie. The family had raise the bulk of the funds through various means and just needed the extra to finalise the total funding necessary which amounted to around $30,000.00.
This covered the cost of training of the dog, the assimilation and bonding of the dog with the child and associated costs A one time payment for the life of the dog all inclusive.
 This is the reason Lions have the motto "WE SERVE".
Images:
Top left, The Menai Hotel at South Burnie.
Top right: World Champion Axeman, Tasmanian David Foster.
Bottom: The blue cornflower the symbol of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia.
and the Lions and Leo emblems.